“Wants to be Nick Saban So Bad”: CFB Fans React as Kirby Smart Seen Infuriated Despite Georgia’s 30-Point 4Q Lead

Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs faced the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville on Saturday. After opening the season with back-to-back blowout wins over Tennessee State and Western Kentucky, Georgia took a commanding 31-3 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Despite holding a 30-point advantage in the fourth quarter and appearing well on its way to victory, Smart was seen yelling at his players late in the game. His visible frustration drew reactions from fans online.

Many praised Smart’s commitment and intensity, while others suggested he was trying too hard to emulate Nick Saban. Here are some of the most notable reactions to Smart’s aggressive approach.

“Wants to be saban so bad,” a fan wrote.

“Kirby Smart coaching his players to the very last second. Then you have Sulverfield sitting looking like a tree,” a fan wrote.

“Kirby Smart chewing our Nate while Nate is injured is just peak Kirby Smart. Build that statue,” a fan wrote.

“Watching Larry Knight and Kirby Smart coach up Dean on the sideline after missing eye discipline IS ENTHRALLING,” a fan wrote.

“Kirby Smart is the new Nick Saban. Refs gonna take care of him no matter how obvious the bad call was,” a fan wrote.

“Up 28 and still coaching like it’s 0-0. That is why Georgia covers keep printing even when the script looks dead,” a fan wrote.

Being compared to Nick Saban, widely regarded as one of college football’s greatest coaches with seven national championships, could be seen as a compliment.

Georgia ultimately defeated Arkansas 45-17. The Razorbacks put up 14 points in the fourth quarter, but the deficit proved too large to overcome.

With Saturday’s matchup against Arkansas, the Georgia Bulldogs began their nine-game SEC schedule. Ahead of the game, head coach Kirby Smart discussed how the demanding schedule could affect his players.

“Our kids have never had the exposure they will have because of a nine-game SEC schedule,” he said, per The Red & Black. “You’re not counting snaps in games; you’re counting conditioning reps and snaps in practice and what gives them the opportunity to play in the game.”

Despite the demanding schedule, Smart said he would focus on how his team performs throughout the stretch rather than worrying about what its opponents might do.

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